Robert Johnson (1911-1938) is one of the leading figures in blues history. But despite Robert Johnson’s importance in blues history and his major influence on the music, much of his life is shrouded in mystery. The Mississippi Blues Trail has placed its marker commemorating Robert Johnson at the entrance to Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church, near Money, Mississippi, which is one of three sites reputed to be the location of Robert Johnson’s grave.

One of the mysteries about Robert Johnson is the exact location of his grave. There are three reputed Robert Johnson gravesites in Mississippi: this one at Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church, near Money, Mississippi, one at the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Morgan City and one at the Payne Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Quito. All three reputed Robert Johnson gravesites are in Leflore County.

After visiting all three reputed Robert Johnson gravesites, we lean toward this one as being the most likely place where Robert Johnson is buried. The Mississippi Blues Trail appears to consider this the most probable location of Robert Johnson’s actual gravesite and has erected its Mississippi Blues Trail marker commemorating Robert Johnson at the entrance to the Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church grounds.

“ROBERT JOHNSON – A seminal figure in the history of the Delta blues, Robert Johnson (1911-1938) synthesized the music of Delta blues pioneers such as Son House with outside traditions. he in turn influenced such artists as Muddy Waters and Elmore James. Johnson’s compositions, notable for their poetic qualities, include the standards ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ and ‘Dust My Broom.’ Johnson’s mysterious life and early death continue to fascinate blues fans. He is thought to be buried in this graveyard.”

Note the Mississippi Blues Trail‘s statements about Johnson’s “mysterious life” and that Robert Johnson “is thought to be buried in this graveyard.” Many of the details of Robert Johnson’s life are mysteries which are still open for debate; so is the location of his final resting place.

The two photos below show the Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church and its graveyard. The reputed Robert Johnson grave is beneath the two large trees shown in the these photo.

Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church cemetery, near Money, Leflore County, Mississippi, site of one of three reputed Robert Johnson grave sites. The Robert Johnson grave is beneath the two large pecan trees in the left of this photo.Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church cemetery, near Money, Leflore County, Mississippi, site of one of three reputed Robert Johnson grave sites. The Robert Johnson grave is beneath the two large pecan trees in the middle of this photo.